Homeworkers miss flirting and office gossip

FLIRTING and gossip are two of the most common things people who work from home miss about office life, according to new research.

More than 4.2 million people work from home according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

That’s nearly 14 per cent of the working population and the highest number since records began in 1998.

People who work from home earn more than their office-based counterparts and bring home and an average of £13.23 per hour compared £10.50 per hour.

However, they claim to miss out on things most people take for granted.

Cartridge People, the online ink cartridge retailer, asked 1,800 homeworkers what they love and hate about working from home.

A total of 64 per cent of the homeworkers said they hated the social isolation and 47 per cent said they hated having fewer work friends.

Other aspects people dislike about working from home include being distracted by washing, ironing and children.

The lack of an ‘IT guy’ to come and fix issues with PCs was a major issue for 32 per cent.

A total of 84 per cent of homeworkers said flexible working hours is one of the best things about working form home and 70 per cent said the lack of commute was a positive.

Andrew Davies of Cartridge People, said: “Homeworking is becoming more popular as people set up their own business and employers become more relaxed about the business benefits of having staff work from home.

“This is leading to a debate over the advantages and disadvantages of this new way of working and our results show there are still contrasting views on whether this is best practice for businesses.

“The increase in pay may be a welcome bonus but the lack of social interaction is obviously a miss for those who no longer work from a traditional office building.”